Boston, MA – After weeks of coordination with the federal government, Governor Maura Healey finally had the opportunity to meet with officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday and Wednesday to assess and address the ongoing migrant crisis in Massachusetts.
The state has faced increasing challenges due to the influx of new arrivals, with a significant number coming from Haiti, straining the state’s shelter system. A state of emergency was declared in response to this crisis. Governor Healey had been actively seeking federal funds and expedited work authorization for the new arrivals, making repeated calls to President Joe Biden for support.
As of Tuesday, there were 6,877 families in the emergency family shelter system, and approximately half of them were estimated to be new arrivals, according to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
Although Governor Healey had previously met with DHS officials, this site visit marked the first of its kind, aiming to provide a more detailed understanding of the challenges Massachusetts is facing and make recommendations for collaborative solutions.
In August, the Commonwealth received nearly $2 million in federal grants to enhance shelter services and transportation for newly arrived families. However, the Governor and her administration continue to advocate for additional funding and changes to the work authorization process.
In response to the crisis, the DHS has taken steps to expedite work authorization for migrants, including shortening processing times for employment authorization documents and increasing communication with paroled migrants. Additionally, the department granted temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants, enabling them to enter the workforce.
Governor Healey’s engagement with DHS aligns with efforts by other city and state leaders, such as those in New York, who have sought increased federal support to address their respective migrant challenges.
